THEATRE ROYAL.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 4430, 6 July 1882, Page 3

THEATRE ROYAL.

„». ".MICHABL STBOGOFF." After an interregnum of six weeks the Theatre Bojal wsb re-opened on Wednesday night, under the lesseeßhip of Mr J. S. Willis, for tho purpose of introducing to the Christchurch publio Mr J. Burdett Howe and Miss Julia Hayward. Michael Strogoff was the piece selected, and though the attendance upstairs was by no means large, the stalls and pit were filled to overflowing. The principal incidents of Jules Verne's romance are adhered to in the play under notice, whioh is of the " blood and thunder " style, so familiar to frequenters of the transpontine theatres in the English metropolis, same of whom were doubtless present last tight to once more welcome an old London friond. Mr J. B. Howe is ono of that "old school " now fast dying out, and of whioh we have not had a representative here since Mr Creswick. The mannerisms peculiar to that school are noticeable in Mr Howe, but in such a part as Michael Btrogoff they are, perhaps, admissible. Mr Howe's capital stage presence is not accompanied by a very clear delivery of his speeches, but his acting of the part of the faithful courier left nothing to be desired, though we must confess we should prefer to see him in a piece of more pretensions to literary merit. Miss Julia Hayward as Naida Fedor, tho faithful companion of the courier, had but little scope for showing of what she is capable. Her voice, which is not a pleasing one at any time, is marred by the entire absence of any inflexion ; but the part does not demand any elocutionary talent, and is altogether bo unworthy of any Btar that we shall be glad when a change of bill affords Miss Hayward those opportunities which the rdle she played on Wednesday did not offer. The company supporting the " stars " is not a very strong one, its most prominent member being Mr J. P. West, who, in Ivan Ogareff, has one of those "heavy villains" in whom he revels. Mr Jewett, who was last here with the Pomeroy Company, doubled the parts of the Czar of Russia and the Grand Duke, but has not yet overcome that staginess which has always been a drawback to his success. The comedy element — and very poor at that — was in the hands of Messrs Power and Rede, who, as the two newspaper correspondents, seemed to have an extraordinary knack of turning up in all sorts of places. Miss Lizzie Laurence did justice to the part of Sangaree, and Mies Aehton as Strogoff's mother, was well suited. It was like old times to tee Miss Jennie Nye in one of those dances in which she never fails to please, though this change from the ordinary routine of the drama was certainly puzzling. It only remains to add that the scenery was in Mr Williß* best style, but the minor characters were hardly dressed in keeping with the climate in whioh they were supposed to move, and we were not treated to a eight of the " grand Oriental ballet," which occupies so conspicuous a position on the bills. The raising of the drees circle seats is a change which visitors to that part of the house appeared to appreciate. " Miohael Strogoff " will be repeated this evening.